Murder cicada

The murder cicada is a type of cicada whose range spans north Idiri and Rahoum. These insects usually are found along wadis and other seasonal or subterranean water courses, where they perch on the trunks and branches of various shrubs and small trees. They are known to reside in similarly shrubby environments within cities such as Omrazir, where their rhythmic pulsing song fills the air on hot summer nights. They are a favored prey item for the silverstreak kite and pepperspot mongoose, both also common in Raziya, and when fried in oil are a treat enjoyed by many Tessouare as well.

The murder cicada's name comes from the very loud grating shriek the creatures emit when disturbed, which not only sounds "like screaming bloody murder" but is also so intensely startling that it is claimed weak-hearted people have been frightened to death on hearing its cry. It is sometimes also just called the murderbug.